Enhanced Perimeter Polymeric Sheet

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an enhanced perimeter polymer sheet. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet is generally comprised of a polymeric film substrate and may have a first enhanced perimeter region proximate to a first edge of the polymeric film substrate. The first enhanced perimeter region may further comprise an area extending generally along at least a portion of said first edge of the polymeric film substrate. A primary region of the enhanced perimeter plastic sheet may be defined by the polymeric film substrate. The primary region may be located generally inward from the first enhanced perimeter region and the primary region may have a set of attributes. The first enhanced perimeter region will have a set of attributes. Moreover, at least one attribute of the set of attributes of the first enhanced perimeter region may differ from a corresponding attribute of the set of attributes of the primary region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to improvements to the structure,composition, and manufacture of polymeric films. Specifically, thepresent invention relates to improvements to polymeric sheets,particularly those used to cover items and surfaces for protectivepurposes such as drop cloths used when painting.

2. Description of the Related Art

Polymeric sheets are used in a variety of applications. One particularuse of polymeric sheets, also referred to as polymeric sheeting, is as adrop cloth or protective sheet. Polymeric sheeting drop cloths areparticularly useful compared to fabric drop cloths when the preventionof liquid penetration is particularly important. For example, it isparticularly important to prevent the penetrations of liquids in thecontext of polymeric sheeting drop cloths used as protective coversduring painting or staining.

Polymeric sheeting commercially available today is frequently thin andlightweight. The success of lighter, thinner polymeric sheeting is due,in part, to improvements over the last few decades in both manufacturingand polymer resin technology. The lightweight polymeric sheetingminimizes costs for the consumer and makes the polymeric sheeting easierto transport and simpler to deploy. However, lightweight polymericsheeting is also more susceptible to movement caused by external forcesincluding, but not limited to, persons walking across the film or when apolymeric sheeting drop cloth is used in drafty or windy conditions.Consequently, it is sometimes desirable to secure the film over or ontoan area or surface using adhesive tape or weights along the perimeter ofthe polymeric sheeting.

One example of a weighted cover cloth is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,862,876 entitled “Protective Edge Weighted Cover Cloth.” The '876Patent discloses a protective cover cloth having continuous, flexibleweights along at least two opposed edges of the cover cloth. The '876Patent discloses that the cover cloth may be made from woven, natural,or synthetic fibers, but also suggests that continuous sheet materialsuch as synthetic plastic film may be used. The '876 Patent disclosesthat sand, shot, or other particulate matter is inserted in a hem ortubes attached along the edges of the cover. To form the hems, theopposed edges are folded back and sewn together to form an elongatedpocket or wide hem. According to the '876 Patent, the elongated pocketor hem is subsequently filled with sand, shot, or other granular orparticulate weighted material, which is intended to keep the edges ofthe cover cloth marginally flexible. However, granular fill as disclosedwould be time-consuming to load into the cover cloths and constructionof the disclosed cover cloth would be generally inefficient in astreamlined manufacturing process. The granular fill would also make theprotective covers heavier to transport and more difficult to deploy thanother cover cloths. Additionally, the abrasiveness of the granular fillcould lead to product failures when used with thin polymeric sheetingfilms. Moreover, in the event of such failure, the abrasive, granularfill could end up damaging the surface that the cover cloth was meant toprotect.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,372 provides an example of polymeric sheetingproducts having apertures with grommets disposed within the apertures.In the '372 patent, the polymeric sheeting product is used incombination with one or more weighted structure secured to the grommets,thereby holding the polymeric sheeting product in place. While theexternal weight structures serve the desired function, they are bulkyand heavy to transport and require significant labor to deploy properly.Additionally, when granular fill is used for the external weightstructures, there still exists a real risk of damaging not only thepolymeric sheet itself, but also the surface that is intended to beprotected.

United States Published Patent Application No. 2010/0154943 entitled“Drop Cloth” also discloses polymeric sheeting products. The '943Publication discloses using a polyethylene film with hems running alongat least one edge of the film. More importantly, the '943 Publicationdiscloses the inclusion of a metal conformable shape retaining memberwithin the hems running along at least one edge of the film, with analuminum strip being prominently highlighted as a desirable choice forthe conformable shape retaining member. The purpose of the conformableshape retaining member is to hold the plastic film in place by creatinga rigid structure that is pliable by a consumer. However, suchstructures are not cost-effective to manufacture, cannot be easilymanufactured, and are not easily deployed by a consumer, who must ensurethat the conformable shape member in fact conforms to the requiredshape.

In view of the foregoing, it is desired to provide a solution thataddresses the need for plastic drop cloths with enhanced perimeters thatare lightweight, easy to manufacture, and can be deployed easily withoutadding significantly to the cost or complexity of the product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an enhanced perimeter polymericsheet. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet may be comprised of apolymeric film substrate and a first enhanced perimeter region proximateto a first edge of the polymeric film substrate. The first enhancedperimeter region may further comprise an area extending generally alongat least a portion of said first edge of the polymeric film substrate. Aprimary region of the enhanced perimeter plastic sheet may be defined bythe polymeric film substrate. The primary region may be locatedgenerally inward from the first enhanced perimeter region and theprimary region will have a set of attributes. Additionally, the firstenhanced perimeter region will have a set of attributes. In such cases,at least one attribute of the set of attributes of the first enhancedperimeter region may differ from a corresponding attribute of the set ofattributes of the primary region.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the first enhancedperimeter region may comprise a first enhancement strip disposed on thepolymeric film substrate. Additionally, the first enhanced perimeterstrip may have a distal edge defining a first perimeter edge of theenhanced perimeter polymeric sheet. In some embodiments, the firstenhanced perimeter strip may have a distal edge located inward from thefirst edge of the polymeric film substrate and the first edge of thepolymeric film substrate may define a first perimeter edge of theenhanced perimeter polymeric sheet. In other embodiments, the firstenhancement strip may be welded to the polymeric film substrate.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first enhancedperimeter region may comprise a first enhancement portion integrallyprovided with the polymeric film substrate. Additionally, the firstenhancement portion may be extruded with the polymeric film substrate.Moreover, in another embodiment of the present invention, a first edgeof the polymeric film substrate may be folded over to define a firsthem. In some cases, a first enhanced perimeter tape may be disposedwithin the hem. The first hem and the first enhanced perimeter tape maydefine the first enhanced perimeter region. Additionally, in certainembodiments of the present invention, the set of attributes of theprimary region and the first enhanced perimeter region may include atleast one of the following: average thickness, weight per unit area,stiffness, color, or texture.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a second enhancedperimeter region may be proximate to a second edge of the polymeric filmsubstrate. Additionally, the second enhanced perimeter region maycomprise an area extending generally along at least a portion of saidsecond edge. Moreover, the primary region may be located generallyinward from the first enhanced perimeter region and from the secondenhanced perimeter region as well. The second enhanced perimeter regionwill have a set of attributes. At least one attribute of the set ofattributes of the first enhanced perimeter region may differ from acorresponding attribute of the set of attributes of the primary region.

In other embodiments of the present invention, a third enhancedperimeter region may be proximate to a third edge of the polymeric filmsubstrate. The third enhanced perimeter region may comprise an areaextending generally along at least a portion of said third edge.Additionally, a fourth enhanced perimeter region may be proximate to afourth edge of the polymeric film substrate. The fourth enhancedperimeter region may comprise an area extending generally along at leasta portion of said fourth edge. In such embodiments, the primary regionmay be located generally inward from the first enhanced perimeterregion, the second enhanced perimeter region, the third enhancedperimeter region, and the fourth enhanced perimeter region.Additionally, the third enhanced perimeter region and fourth enhancedperimeter region will each have a set of attributes. At least oneattribute of the respective third enhanced perimeter region and fourthenhanced perimeter region may differ from a corresponding attribute ofthe set of attributes of the primary region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS

A full and complete understanding of the present invention may beobtained by reference to the detailed description of the presentinvention and described embodiments when viewed with reference to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings can be briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention, the depicted embodiment having enhanced perimeter regionsadjacent to two of the four edges of the enhanced perimeter polymericsheet.

FIG. 2 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 3 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 provides an elevation view of another embodiment of the presentinvention, the depicted embodiment having enhanced perimeter regionsadjacent to each of the four edges of the enhanced perimeter polymericsheet.

FIG. 8 provides an elevation view of another embodiment of the presentinvention, the depicted embodiment having enhanced perimeter regionsalong two opposing edges wherein the enhancement perimeter regions aredisposed slightly inward from the distal edges of the enhanced perimeterpolymeric sheet.

FIG. 9 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 provides an elevation view of the cross-section of anotherembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure illustrates one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. It is not intended to provide an illustration orencompass all embodiments contemplated by the present invention. In viewof the disclosure of the present invention contained herein, a personhaving ordinary skill in the art will recognize that innumerablemodifications and insubstantial changes may be incorporated or otherwiseincluded within the present invention without diverging from the spiritof the invention. Therefore, it is understood that the present inventionis not limited to those embodiments disclosed herein. The appendedclaims are intended to more fully and accurately encompass the inventionto the fullest extent possible, but it is fully appreciated that certainlimitations on the use of particular terms is not intended toconclusively limit the scope of protection.

Looking initially at FIG. 1, an embodiment of an enhanced perimeterpolymeric sheet 100 is shown. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 100has a primary region 110, a first enhanced perimeter region 120, and asecond enhanced perimeter region 122. The enhanced perimeter polymericsheet 100 depicted has four perimeter edges: a first perimeter edge 102,a second perimeter edge 104, a third perimeter edge 106, and a fourthperimeter edge 108. In the depicted embodiments, the first enhancedperimeter region 120 and second enhanced perimeter region 122 areadjacent to, and extend generally along the length of opposing perimeteredges 104 and 108. In other embodiments of the present invention, one ormore enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may be proximate to, althoughnot necessarily immediately adjacent to, one or more perimeter edges102, 104, 106, 108 and extend generally along the length of the one ormore perimeter edges 102, 104, 106, 108 of the enhanced perimeterpolymeric sheet 100. Furthermore, in other embodiments, one or moreenhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may extend less than the entirelength of the one or more perimeter edges 102, 104, 106, and 108.

The first enhanced perimeter region 120 and second enhanced perimeterregion 122 have one or more enhancements or contrasting attributes whencompared to the primary region as described herein. Specifically, insome embodiments of the present invention, the enhancements orcontrasting attributes of the one or more enhanced perimeter regions120, 122 offer visual contrast with the primary region 110 of theenhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 100 by featuring contrasting color,or contrasting color combinations, within the one or more enhancedperimeter regions 120, 122. It would be desirable that the color, orcolor combinations, of the one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120,122 visually contrast with the color of the primary region 110 under avariety of lighting and use conditions. In some embodiments, the one ormore enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may be opaque while the primaryregion 110 may be clear, translucent, or even opaque with a differentcolor. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the one or more enhancedperimeter regions 120, 122 may be tinted with a color but remainpartially transparent or translucent.

In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more enhancedperimeter regions 120, 122 may be thicker than the primary region 110 ofthe enhanced perimeter plastic sheet 100. For example, in someembodiments of the present invention, the average thickness of one ormore enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may have an average thicknessthat is 200% or more than the average thickness of the primary region110. To wit, in one embodiment of the present invention, the primaryregion 110 may have an average thickness of approximately 0.5 mils whilethe one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may have an averagethickness of 1 mil or greater. Furthermore, in other embodiments of thepresent invention, the average thickness of the one or more enhancedperimeter regions 120, 122 may have an average thickness that is atleast 500% of the average thickness of the primary region 110.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the one or moreenhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may have a texture that contrastswith the surface texture (or lack thereof) of the primary region 110.For example, the one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may beembossed with a texture or pattern while the primary region 110 of theenhanced perimeter plastic sheet 100 may be substantially smooth. Inother embodiments, the primary region 110 of the enhanced perimeterpolymeric sheet 100 may be embossed or otherwise textured with a firstpattern while the one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 areembossed or textured with a second pattern that is visuallydistinguishable from the first embossing pattern. In some embodiments,the one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may bedistinguishable from the primary region 110 based upon the tactile feelof the respective one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 inrelation to the primary region 110. In other embodiments, the texturaldifferences may be provided through the use of foaming or blowing agentspresent in one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 during theextrusion process. However, in other embodiments, the texturaldifferences may be provided during a converting process including, butnot limited to, using an embossing wheel on the one or more enhancedperimeter regions 120, 122.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the one or moreenhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may be heavier versus the primaryregion 110 of the enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 100. In suchembodiments, the weight of the one or more enhanced perimeter regions120, 122 may be greater per unit area than the primary region 110 of theenhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 100. The increased weight per unitarea of the one or more enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may beaccomplished by various methods including, but not limited to,increasing the thickness of the one or more enhanced perimeter regions120, 122, using materials of increased density within said one or moreenhanced perimeter regions 120, 122, or a combination of the foregoing.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the one or moreenhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may be stiffer and less flexiblethan the primary region 110 of the enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet100. In such embodiments, the one or more enhanced perimeter regions120, 122 may be thicker, use different materials, or use textures orembossing to modify or change the stiffness within the one or moreenhanced perimeter regions 120, 122.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the one or moreenhanced perimeter regions 120, 122 may have two or more of theenhancement attributes described compared to the primary region 110. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the enhanced perimeter regions 120, 122may be colored, heavier, and thicker to distinguish the enhancedperimeter regions 120, 122 from the primary region 110.

Referring to FIG. 2 through FIG. 6, several embodiments of the presentinvention are depicted in cross-section views to better understand howcertain embodiments of the present invention may be physicallystructured. The disclosed embodiments each feature a polymeric filmsubstrate 210 serving as the base for the enhanced perimeter polymericsheeting 100. The polymeric film substrate 210 has a first edge 214 anda second edge 218 that can be seen in the cross-sectional view.Preferably, the film substrate 210 is manufactured using linear lowdensity polyethylene (LLDPE) in either a blown-film extrusion process ora cast-film extrusion process. However, some embodiments of the presentinvention may use HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, mLLDPE, or any other blend ofsuitable, flexible polymeric material used in the manufacture of films.It is further contemplated that certain woven polymeric films may alsobe utilized as the polymeric film substrate 210 or for the firstenhancement strip 220 and/or for the second enhancement strip 222,described below, within embodiments of the present invention.

Looking at FIG. 2, a first enhancement strip 220 and a secondenhancement strip 222 are provided, defining the first enhancementregion 120 and the second enhancement region 122, respectively. Thefirst enhancement strip 220 has a distal edge 224 while the secondenhancement strip 222 also has a distal edge 228. The first enhancementstrip 220 and the second enhancement strip 222 are located immediatelyadjacent to the edges 214, 218 of the film substrate 210. Thus, thedistal edges 224, 228 of the first enhancement strip 220 and the secondenhancement strip 222 as well as the edges 214, 218 of the filmsubstrate 210 define the perimeter edges 104, 108 of the enhancedperimeter polymeric sheeting 100.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the first enhancement strip 220 and the secondenhancement strip 222 provide, respectively, a first enhanced perimeterregion 120 and a second enhanced perimeter region 122 that are boththicker and heavier (per square inch) than the primary region 110. Thefirst enhancement strip 220 and the second enhancement strip 222 mayfurther include a color additive to visually distinguish the firstenhancement region 120 and the second enhancement region 122 from theprimary region 110. Moreover, the first enhancement strip 220 and thesecond enhancement strip 222 may be stiffer due to the selection of thematerial and the thickness for the respective first and secondenhancement strips 220, 222.

The first enhancement strip 220 and the second enhancement strip 222 maybe provided on the film substrate 210 using any of several differentprocesses. In some embodiments, the first and second enhancement strips220, 222 may be extruded, in a supplemental extrusion process, directlyonto the film substrate 210 after the film substrate 210 is formed andcooled. In other embodiments of the present invention, the first andsecond enhancement strips 220, 222 may be co-extruded with the filmsubstrate 210 using a multi-layer die, using die blockers, modified diedesigns, or a combination of these and other techniques known in theart.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first enhancementstrip 220 and the second enhancement strip 222 may be separatelyprovided and subsequently laminated onto the film substrate 210 througha lamination process that may use adhesives, heat, pressure, or acombination of the foregoing. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, the first enhancement strip 220 and the second enhancementstrip 222 may be separately provided and welded onto the film substrate210.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the firstenhancement strip 220 and the second enhancement strip 222 may beprovided using a coating or spraying process where the first and secondenhancement strips 220, 222 are applied directly to the film substrate210.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cross-section view of another embodiment of thepresent invention is depicted. Like the embodiment of FIG. 2, the filmsubstrate 210 has edges 214, 218. In the depicted embodiment, the firstand second enhancement strips 220, 222 have distal edges 224, 228extending beyond the edges 214, 218 of the film substrate 210. Thus, thedistal edges 224, 228 of the enhancement strips 220, 222 define theperimeter edges 104, 108 of the enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, a cross-section view of another embodiment of thepresent invention is depicted. Like the previous embodiment, a filmsubstrate 210 has edges 214, 218. Similarly, the first enhancement strip220 and the second enhancement strip 222 have distal edges 224, 228extending beyond the edges 214, 218 of the film substrate 210.Furthermore, a third enhancement strip 420 and a fourth enhancementstrip 422 are disposed opposite the first enhancement strip 220 and thesecond enhancement strip 222, respectively, on opposing sides of thefilm substrate 210. In this embodiment, the distal edges 424, 428 of thethird and fourth enhancement strips 420, 422 are coterminous with therespective distal edges 224, 228 of the first and second enhancementstrips 220, 222. Consequently, distal edges 224, 424 collectively defineperimeter edge 104 of the enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 100 whiledistal edges 228, 428 of the second and further enhancement strips 222,422 collectively define perimeter edge 108.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-section view of another embodiment of thepresent invention is depicted. In this particular embodiment, a firstenhancement strip 520 is wrapped around a first distal edge 214 of thefilm substrate 210. Similarly, a second enhancement strip 522 is wrappedaround a second distal edge 218 of the film substrate 210. The foldedends of the first enhancement strip 520 and the second enhancement strip522 define the respective edges 104, 108 of the enhanced perimeterpolymeric sheeting 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, a cross-section view of another embodiment of thepresent invention is depicted. In this particular embodiment, a firstenhancement portion 620 and a second enhancement portion 622 areintegrally formed with the film substrate 210. Specifically, the firstenhanced perimeter region 120 is defined by a first enhancement portion620 integrally formed with the film substrate 210 such that thethickness of the enhanced perimeter polymeric sheeting 100 in the firstenhanced perimeter region 120 is thicker than the primary region 110.Similarly, the second enhanced perimeter region 122 is defined by asecond enhancement portion 620 integrally formed with the film substrate210 such that the thickness of the enhanced perimeter polymeric sheeting100 in the second enhanced perimeter region 122 is thicker than theprimary region 110. The first distal edge 214 of the film substrate 210defines the perimeter edge 104 of the enhanced perimeter polymericsheeting 100 while the second distal edge 218 of the film substrate 210defines the perimeter edge 108.

Referring now to FIG. 7, an elevation view of another embodiment of thepresent invention discloses an alternative enhanced perimeter polymericsheet 700. The alternative enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 700 isdefined by a primary region 110 having a first perimeter edge 102, asecond perimeter edge 104, a third perimeter edge 106, and a fourthperimeter edge 108. An enhanced perimeter region 720, 722, 724, 726 isprovided along each of the respective perimeter edges 102, 104, 106,108.

Referring now to FIG. 8, another embodiment of the present invention isdepicted in a perspective view showing an inwardly spaced enhancedperimeter polymeric sheet 800. The inwardly spaced enhanced perimeterpolymeric sheet 800 is defined by a primary region 110 having a firstperimeter edge 102, a second perimeter edge 104, a third perimeter edge106, and a fourth perimeter edge 108. In this embodiment, a firstinwardly spaced perimeter region 820 is located proximate to perimeteredge 104 and a second inwardly spaced perimeter region 822 is disposedproximate to perimeter edge 108. The cross section of one suchembodiment is further disclosed with respect to FIG. 9, where theenhanced perimeter polymeric sheet 800 is constructed from a filmsubstrate 210 with first and second inwardly spaced enhanced perimeterstrips 820, 822 disposed on the film substrate 210. Given the previousdiscussion, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize thenumerous methods that may be used to facilitate providing the inwardlyspaced enhanced perimeter strips 820, 822.

Another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 10. Inthe depicted embodiment, the first enhanced perimeter portion 1020 andthe second enhanced perimeter portion 1022 are integrally formed withthe film substrate 210. Typically, such construction would be done in anextrusion process as described before with the use of a panel die, alsoknown as a window die. In such embodiments, the film substrate 210 maybe formed of a different composition than first and second enhancedperimeter portions 1020, 1022. Thus, even if first and second enhancedperimeter portions 1020, 1022 are of the same thickness as the primaryregion 110 of the film substrate 210, the first and second enhancedperimeter portions 1020, 1022 may still provide one or more enhancementor contrasting attributes.

Another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 11. InFIG. 11, it is contemplated that an embodiment of the present inventioncould be manufactured with a panel or window die as disclosed withrespect to FIG. 10. However, in the depicted embodiment, first enhancedperimeter portion 1120 and the second enhanced perimeter portion 1122have a thickness that differs from the primary region 110 of the filmsubstrate 210 through the use of die blockers, modified die designs, orsimilar techniques.

Another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIG. 12. Inthis depicted embodiment case, the film substrate 210 has distal edges214 and 218 folded over and subsequently sealed to the film substrate210 to define hems along perimeter edge 104 and perimeter edge 108.First and second enhanced perimeter tapes 1220 and 1222 are disposedwithin the hems using methods and techniques known in the art. Like theprevious embodiments, the first and second enhanced perimeter tapes 1220and 1222 offer one or more enhancement or contrasting attributes whencompared to the primary region 110 of the film substrate 210.

I claim:
 1. An enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet comprising: apolymeric film substrate, a first enhanced perimeter region proximate toa first edge of the polymeric film substrate, the first enhancedperimeter region comprising an area extending generally along at least aportion of said first edge, a primary region of the enhanced perimeterplastic sheet defined by the polymeric film substrate, the primaryregion located generally inward from the first enhanced perimeterregion, the primary region having a set of attributes, the firstenhanced perimeter region having a set of attributes, at least oneattribute of the set of attributes of the first enhanced perimeterregion differing from a corresponding attribute of the set of attributesof the primary region.
 2. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet ofclaim 1, wherein the first enhanced perimeter region comprises a firstenhancement strip disposed on the polymeric film substrate.
 3. Theenhanced perimeter polymeric sheet of claim 2, wherein the firstenhanced perimeter strip has a distal edge defining a first perimeteredge of the enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet.
 4. The enhancedperimeter polymeric sheet of claim 2, wherein the first enhancedperimeter strip has a distal edge located inward from the first edge ofthe polymeric film substrate, the first edge of the polymeric filmsubstrate defining a first perimeter edge of the enhanced perimeterpolymeric sheet.
 5. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet of claim 2,wherein the first enhancement strip is welded to the polymeric filmsubstrate.
 6. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet of claim 1, whereinthe first enhanced perimeter region comprises a first enhancementportion integrally provided with the polymeric film substrate.
 7. Theenhanced perimeter polymeric sheet of claim 6, wherein the firstenhancement portion is extruded with the polymeric film substrate. 8.The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet of claim 1, further comprising afirst edge of the polymeric film substrate folded over to define a firsthem, and a first enhanced perimeter tape disposed within the hem, thefirst hem and the first enhanced perimeter tape defining the firstenhanced perimeter region.
 9. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet ofclaim 1, further comprising: the set of attributes of the primary regionand the first enhanced perimeter region including at least one of thefollowing: average thickness, weight per unit area, stiffness, color, ortexture.
 10. The enhanced perimeter polymeric sheet of claim 1, furthercomprising: a second enhanced perimeter region proximate to a secondedge of the polymeric film substrate, the second enhanced perimeterregion comprising an area extending generally along at least a portionof said second edge, the primary region is located generally inward fromthe first enhanced perimeter region and the second enhanced perimeterregion, the second enhanced perimeter region having a set of attributes,at least one attribute of the set of attributes of the second enhancedperimeter region differing from a corresponding attribute of the set ofattributes of the primary region.
 11. The enhanced perimeter polymericsheet of claim 10, further comprising: a third enhanced perimeter regionproximate to a third edge of the polymeric film substrate, the thirdenhanced perimeter region comprising an area extending generally alongat least a portion of said third edge, a fourth enhanced perimeterregion proximate to a fourth edge of the polymeric film substrate, thefourth enhanced perimeter region comprising an area extending generallyalong at least a portion of said fourth edge, the primary region islocated generally inward from the first enhanced perimeter region, thesecond enhanced perimeter region, the third enhanced perimeter region,and the fourth enhanced perimeter region, and the third enhancedperimeter region and fourth enhanced perimeter region each having a setof attributes, at least one attribute of the respective third enhancedperimeter region and fourth enhanced perimeter region differing from acorresponding attribute of the set of attributes of the primary region.12. An enhanced perimeter plastic sheet comprising: a polymeric filmsubstrate, a first enhanced perimeter region proximate to a first edgeof the polymeric film substrate, the first enhanced perimeter regioncomprising an area extending generally along at least a portion of saidfirst edge, a primary region of the enhanced perimeter plastic sheetdefined by the polymeric film substrate, the primary region locatedgenerally inward from the first enhanced perimeter region, the firstenhanced perimeter region having at least one contrasting attributecompared to the primary region, the contrasting attribute selected fromthe group consisting of: average thickness, stiffness, weight per unitarea, texture, and color.